Merino Clothing (base layers, etc)

will have to take control of your bank cards

You burn mine, I'll freeze yours.

quickly has one final fling on the rapha website

I just popped to Howies on Carnaby Street and bought another base layer - just the same as the old ones, but up to £49. Must've worn my other one 300 times though, so worth every penny. Will check out the new stuff online now - they didn't have it in-store.

new merino at howies - http://www.howies.co.uk/womens/products/merino.html
must resist urge to buy.

I really hope they've sorted out their sizing, the hooded full zip looks so lovely, but I have one from about 4 years ago that is labeled small but fits like a baggy medium :(

Trip to the shop required!

I really hope they've sorted out their sizing, the hooded full zip looks so lovely, but I have one from about 4 years ago that is labeled small but fits like a baggy medium :(

Trip to the shop required!

Really? I've never had a problem with their sizing. Didn't realise they had a London store.

Really? I've never had a problem with their sizing. Didn't realise they had a London store.

Yep, Carnaby Street. It's a bit trendy, compared to their outdoorsy website/catalogue, but handy if you want stuff quickly.

Really? I've never had a problem with their sizing. Didn't realise they had a London store.

I think they've pretty much sorted it out now. And in fairness to them not much fits me right so its as much my bodies fault as their sizing.

Yep Carnaby st. They have 15% off nights there sometimes which can be good for a discount if nothing is online

Got myself some more CF.. this time the t-shirt version of their 190gsm base..
http://www.chocolatefishmerino.co.uk/merino_baselayer_190/tshirt.html

Also dhb have 20-25% off their baselayers, plus £6 off over £50

Oh, have a link
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/?s=dhb+merino%20baselayers

Got an icebreaker sprint top from blacks for £14.00 . Not current season but from a normal price of £60 well worth it.

If the product is on sale , a bit of persuasion can help knock off prices a bit more.

Can anyone recommend Merino baselayers (tops) that are definitely not itchy? I have an Endura one which is pretty itchy, and a dhb one which is much better but not perfect. Cheers

Rapha. I'm awful when it comes to finding clothes itchy...have never been able to bear to have any wool product on bare skin. The Rapha ones were a little bothersome at first, but way better than most things I've ever tried and after a couple of washes they're now essential wear on every ride. I've tried some of the cheaper alternatives that I couldn't get on with, but not any of the other 'premium' products like Howies etc, they may be just as good. If you can get them in a sample sale, the Rapha baselayers are one of the very best clothing purchases you could ever make.

The Rapha baselayers are one of the very best clothing purchases you could ever make.

I am far from being a Rapha fanboy, but I actually agree with this.

I want more for off the bike use. Just waiting until there is a special/sale.

Although, there was someone that posted here about putting their finger through one and I scoffed (in my head) and thought 'how could you do something so silly? They're not that thin'. Then a few days later, when grabbing the end of the sleeve to keep it in place when I pushed my arm into a long sleeved jersey, I popped my thumb through the sleeve. D'oh.

Yeah they're pretty delicate. But mine are lasting really well and keeping their shape.

Honest, have a look at the on one stuff..... Excellent quality and the 190 gm ones with the half zip are spot on to wear every day..... Cheap too!

Can anyone recommend Merino baselayers (tops) that are definitely not itchy? I have an Endura one which is pretty itchy, and a dhb one which is much better but not perfect. Cheers

Chocolate Fish 190gsm

Can anyone recommend Merino baselayers (tops) that are definitely not itchy? I have an Endura one which is pretty itchy, and a dhb one which is much better but not perfect. Cheers

Finisterre or chocolate fish.

How have you been washing it? My endura is not itchy.

My finisterre one isn't itchy at all and 190gsm

Thanks a lot for the recommendations chaps. Will check out Waffa and Chocolate Fish.

Finisterre or chocolate fish.

How have you been washing it? My endura is not itchy.

I just put it in the normal wash, 30 or 40 degrees...

Try using pure soap flakes. Makes a big difference to Mrs.w's woolens as she too finds most wool itchy.

Can anyone recommend Merino baselayers (tops) that are definitely not itchy? I have an Endura one which is pretty itchy, and a dhb one which is much better but not perfect. Cheers

The Torm ones are really good. The baselayers are not 100% merino, but a sports wool blend. However, I wore one everyday for a week of snowboarding (twice) and it was only smelt around the armpits when you sniffed it. So basically if you use it for cycling and wash it you're fine.

The blend is nice, because it holds its shape really well, and feels good (no itching). FWIW I just wash it at 40 degrees with normal detergent - colour, shape, softness, etc. all just as good as the day I bought it.

The only downside is they don't do a long sleeved version.*

• if anyone feels like dropping them an email saying they're interested in a long sleeved version please do. I have mentioned it before, but they still don't have one, and I really want 2 for snowboarding.
  

I've had a Howies NBL Light long sleeve for three years - no itch, comfortable, has kept its shape and worn well. £50 well spent.

Howies do two kinds of Merino now.

The baselayer I have is their Superfine version. It's too close knit and not stretchy so doesn't wick sweat away well. It's also quite loosely cut making it rubbish if you want to wear a jersey over it.

This Zque Merino looks more suitable for cycling.